New Kia Rio gets prepped up for Paris Motor Show world debut

Prior to the Paris Motor Show, Kia Motors has teased the world with the first and official images of the all-new Rio. With the Paris show just around the corner, Kia highlights will include the Carens and Soul (including the high-powered ‘T-GDI’ version of the Soul).

The new Kia Rio, now in its fourth generation, will offer B-segment buyers a compelling package. Thanks to the Rio’s progressive new exterior representation, the exterior appearance is defined by straight lines and smooth surfacing that give the car a distinctive look and more mature character. Inside, its driver-oriented cabin is also the most spacious in its class. Meantime, a larger, 325-liter cargo capacity (VDA) makes the new Rio a practical choice.

The new model will be the most technologically-advanced Rio ever produced, and is equipped with new cabin technologies, safety systems, and connectivity features. The Rio will offer both Android Auto and CarPlay integration, and will be the first car in its class to offer Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition.

It will be powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines. In particular, the Rio features Kia’s latest three-cylinder 1.0-liter T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection) engines, offering high efficiency and low emissions.

Kia Soul: More Soul-ful than ever

For the new Soul, upgrades have been made to the exterior and interior, along with new safety and infotainment technologies. The upgraded Soul boasts remodelled front and rear bumpers with a metallic skid plate for a more robust appearance, optional bi-function HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights with LED DRLs, and an updated finish to Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Three new metallic exterior paint finishes are available (Mysterious Blue, Russet Brown, and Wild Orange) with white contrast roof and door mirror caps available with Mysterious Blue and Russet Brown. The refreshed Kia Soul is valid with optional new 10-spoke 16- and 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels.

In the cabin, the upgraded Soul receives unique new cloth upholstery, available with a single or two-tone color scheme (black, black and grey, black and brown). New gloss black and metallic highlights and switchgear add to the interior’s quality ambience. More customizable than ever, the Soul is available with a new Orange design pack, with orange-and-grey upholstery, grey stitching and orange highlights throughout the cabin. Existing design packs have been enhanced, with Urban Active emphasizing the car’s compact SUV credentials, with a series of cosmetic enhancements including a gloss black finish to front and rear wheel arches, and a body kit for front and rear bumpers and side sills. The Red Zone pack provides owners with a set of red highlights to the grille, front and rear bumpers and sills, a red roof, and a small red rear spoiler. Other highlights applicable are; the 5- to 8-inch touchscreens, the usual connectivity package, smart device integration, amenities and safety features.

Alongside the updates to the Soul Range, Kia is showcasing the high-powered Soul T-GDI variant; with a 204 ps 1.6-liter T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection) engine. The Soul T-GDI features a unique new design, with bolder front bumper and air intake grille design, twin exhaust pipes at the rear, wider side sills and its own 10-spoke 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels. The model features the T-GDI engine badge on the tailgate, as well as a unique red Soul model logo and red highlights to the front bumper and side sills.

The T-GDI model features its own distinctive cabin color scheme, with black cloth and leather upholstery paired with orange stitching, a D-shaped steering and orange highlights throughout the cabin.